Kids compete in robot competition

February 27, 2009 9:29:44 PM PST

February 27, 2009 --

More than 1,000 high school students spent their school day playing with electronic toys and none of them got in trouble. In fact, they were encouraged to do so.It's the regional robotics competition at the UIC pavilion.

Students from 54 high schools in Chicago and across the Midwest gathered to show off the robots they designed and built.

They got some help from Illinois companies like Motorola, Boeing and Caterpillar.

The winner's of the Midwest Challenge will compete in the national competition in Atlanta, later this year.